Borussia Dortmund are through to the semi-finals of the DFB Cup. Thomas Tuchel’s side overcame third-tier Sportfreunde Lotte thanks to second-half goals from Christian Pulisic, world champion André Schürrle and Marcel Schmelzer. Dortmund will battle it out with Bayern München in six weeks time for a place in the final. The semi-final will take place at the Allianz Arena on either 25th or 26th April.
The match against Lotte was originally supposed to be played on 28th February but was postponed due to an unplayable pitch at the Frimo-Stadion. Sportfreunde were forced to host the tie ten kilometres away from their actual home ground in Osnabrück.
Wendel misses best opportunity for Lotte
Sportfreunde were quick to show the 15,780 fans why they had managed to already knock out two Bundesliga sides in the form of Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen. The third-division team put the favourites under pressure early on, prompting BVB to give away the ball on many occasions. Matthias Rahn came close with the first attempt of the evening against BVB keeper Roman Bürki, who prevented his team from going behind just minutes later after saving from a one-on-one against Lotte man Wendel.
The away side took a while to get to grips with Lotte’s full-on style of play. Ousmane Dembele had Dortmund’s first chance of the game but BVB struggled to dominate. Raphael Guerreiro had a go from distance but his effort flew wide of Lotte keeper Benedikt Fernandez’ post.
Pulisic breaks the deadlock, Schürrle doubles the lead
Japan international Shinji Kagawa tested Fernandez just a few minutes after the restart before Pulisic slotted through the Lotte keeper’s legs much to the relief of the away side as they went in front. The speedy Frenchman Dembele provided the assist.
While it was clear that the opening goal gave BVB some security, fatigue started to set in for Lotte, who nevertheless continued to battle in what was their fourth game in the space of eleven days. But the minnows rarely looked to threaten after world champion Schürrle’s volley gave Dortmund a two-goal cushion and Schmelzer made victory certain with his strike late on.